In a notable shift to Queensland Theatre’s leadership structure, the state theatre company has confirmed that three new Associate Artistic Director positions have been created, to cover what they are calling “highly relevant and important” roles for the organisation going forward: First Nations, Programming, and Education and Youth, as Queensland Theatre seeks to “expand their mission to better connect with communities and grow the arts across the state”.
The three appointments include:
Isaac Drandic, a respected Noongar man from the southwest of Western Australia, with a notable background as a director, dramaturg, actor, and playwright, assumes the role of Associate Artistic Director (First Nations). Drandic’s appointment aims to fortify Queensland Theatre’s engagement with First Nations arts and to raise the profile of cultural storytelling throughout the state. He will liaise with a wide array of First Nations community stakeholders and collaborate with Queensland Theatre’s Indigenous Reference Group to shape the artistic direction and programming of First Nations narratives, while also establishing valuable pathways for First Nations artists and creatives.
Daniel Evans, writer, director, and producer, takes on the role of Associate Artistic Director (Programming). Evans is tasked with developing artistic programs and initiatives designed to broaden the opportunities for Queensland artists to develop and showcase their work, and to narrate new stories originating from Queensland. He brings a wealth of experience to the role, having recently been involved in producing significant creative works in the state, including Drizzle Boy, The Almighty Sometimes, and I Want To Know What Love Is. The DOOR 3 program, which supports three Queensland-based theatre collectives to produce independent theatre works in the Diane Cilento Studio, is one of the inaugural initiatives under his guidance. We recently chatted with Daniel Evans about the initiative, HERE.
Fiona MacDonald, a creative producer, theatre maker, and community arts practitioner, has been appointed Associate Artistic Director (Education and Youth). MacDonald’s role involves leveraging her extensive experience in creating and delivering distinctive, socially-engaged creative experiences for children, young people, and their communities. She will lead Queensland Theatre’s Education and Youth Programs, aiming to enhance existing offerings and introduce tailored programming for children to cultivate a passion for theatre from an early age.
Criena Gehrke, Executive Director of Queensland Theatre, expressed that these appointments have been in planning for some time as part of the organisation’s strategy to significantly broaden its impact on the arts across Queensland:
Queensland Theatre has a responsibility to grow the state’s theatre ecology in a meaningful way and put artists at the heart of the company. The idea of having an ‘artistic hive’ of great artists leading different streams of our programming is exciting. Isaac will be crucial in the self-determination of First Nations theatre and artists, while Daniel and Fiona will play a critical role in delivering our artistic vision through deep engagement with artists, audiences, our young people, and their families.
Undoubtedly some excitement in Queensland Theatre, with not only initiatives like DOOR3 set to commence soon, but also the remainder of their 2024 season, which includes the currently running Gaslight, Medea which is likely to be an emotionally charged work, POTUS or Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive, and the world premiere musical adaptation of one of my favourite shows growing up as a kid of the 90s…. Round the Twist the Musical (among other works).
